Rebels, romantics rule the runway on Day 2 of Toronto's LG Fashion Week

TORONTO - Rebels and romantics rocked the runway on Day 2 of Toronto's LG Fashion Week as a wide-ranging spectrum of designs featured Tuesday served up samplings of gritty urban gear, ethereal evening wear and boldly coloured cocktail creations.

Inspirations for the spring/summer 2010 collections were as disparate as the designs, spanning from the French Revolution, classic Hollywood films, iconic leading ladies and - a little closer to home - the great outdoors.

As select models sprawled out on lounge chairs and thumbed through magazines, others strutted down the catwalk to showcase the Canadian Shield collection, inspired by Ontario cottage country. The designs were awash in bright hues and patterns, primarily pinstripes and plaids, with such rich pairings of crimson and violet hues as well as a melding of rich greens, yellows and blues.

Designs offered casual wear with classic suiting, doling out heaping helpings of more laid-back fare including zip front hoodies, light knitwear cardigans and pullovers, shorts and swim trunks with the label's signature jacket and pant pairings.

Jackets and slim-cut pants were in warmer hues than more brightly colourful separates, with creamy taupes, pinstripe khaki and faded blues featured alongside more traditional dark suiting.

And true to form, Bustle embraced its latest inspiration in literal form with a signature print, using a woodland-inspired graphic complete with cardinals perched on trees emblazoned on knitwear and trunks.

Rick Mercer brought some added star power to the runway, walking the catwalk with mic in tow, donning an all-white shirt and pant combo topped off with a blue-and-white blazer with white lapel trim.

The comedian made a return trip down the runway with model Stacy McKenzie, who had stylewatchers in stitches as she playfully pushed a trolley cart and served Caesars to the audience.

Mercer had been at Fashion Week for most of Tuesday hobnobbing with camera crew in tow, likely filming an upcoming segment for CBC's "Rick Mercer Report."

Andy The-Anh: Stylewatchers used to soaking in a full-scaled runway show from the Montreal designer were treated to a smaller showcase than usual. But the abbreviated presentation offered a rich -albeit brief - glimpse of his signature crisp suiting and elegant eveningwear.

A select group of models stood and sat posed in lush, satin cocktail numbers and gowns in silver and taupe hues, before a brief mini-runway showing of looks dominated by a shock of blue, from the more demure turquoise to more fiery, electric hues.

Exposed zippers on crisp, collared jackets and shift dresses and plunging V-necklines of body-hugging dresses added hints of edge that contrasted well with the softness of other pieces employing draping and ruffle detailing.

Asymmetrical looks took on a bit of a twist - literally - notably an ethereal one-shoulder creation with two interlocking straps.

The-Anh chose to scale back his presentation by opting to showcase his creations in the showroom rather than on the main runway.

The decision was driven by dollars and how they've decided to allocate them in an effort to expand his business.

The-Anh, who presented in similar fashion last week at Montreal Fashion Week, said they've recently hired a full-time staffer in the U.S. and opened a showroom in New York, and are looking to export to Europe and the Middle East all in an effort to grow the brand.